Portobello Mushroom Burgers in 6 Steps

As a former vegetarian, I have a strong fondness for mushrooms. They are extremely delicious, and have a beautiful texture. Portobello mushrooms are considered the steaks of the vegetarian world. These burgers are a good alternative to beef or chicken burgers. They are very easy and quick to cook at home. 

Mahi-Mahi Tacos in 10 Steps

Mahi-Mahi is such a delicate and delicious fish that you do not want to overpower it with strong flavors. These tacos are very quick and easy to make, and in the words of my toddler they taste "extremely delicious". Without further adieu let's get started. 

Chicken Puff Pastry Braid in 10 Steps

When life gives you this delicious chicken qeema, you must use it as a filling to make chicken puff pastry braid. Fewer things are as universal as puff pastry. It could be both savory and sweet. The world owes a lot to the French geniuses who came up with it. Give this impressive looking and delicious recipe a try. 

Banana Bread in 12 Steps

I love reading the New York Times. So yesterday, on the first day of Ramadan, I was ecstatic to see that the Times had posted a collection of Ramadan recipes on their homepage. They even wrote a beautiful ode to dates,  "a unifying staple" for muslims all around the world, during the month of Ramadan. But, I found their collection of Ramadan recipes, rather offensive and stereotypical. Most of the recipes are of Middle Eastern origin. So just like not all Muslims are Arabs, not all Muslims eat/cook Middle Eastern food for suhoor (pre-dawn meal), and iftar (sundown meal). As a product of South Asian diaspora growing up in Canada, I loved my South Asian food as much as the delicacies of the mainstream culture. 

So here is a recipe of  banana bread I like to eat for Suhoor. It's filling, moist and extremely delicious. I use three large bananas to make sure that the bread stays true to its namesake. Since, bananas are naturally sweet, I put a quarter cup of sugar. This way the bread is not overtly sweet. After eating a slice of this bread you are not left with sugary heaviness, but banana goodness. Give this quick recipe a try. And, prove the well-intentioned folks of the New York Times wrong. Muslims eat all sorts of food. Please do not pigeonhole our palette. It's all for a serious cause, you guys :).

Meatloaf in 12 Steps

As a Canadian expat, living in these United States of America, nothing makes me feel all American than preparing this delicious and flavorful meatloaf. The fuji apples in this recipe keep the chicken moist. The layering of carrots, parsley and boiled eggs, add an aesthetic appeal to this meatloaf, and set it apart from the average monochromatic meatloaf. 

I am very wary of consuming preservatives, artificial flavors, and colors. But, nothing gets my goat more than high-fructose corn syrup. And, the sad thing is that it is everywhere, from cereal, to sodas, to breads, to ketchup. So if you can, please use a ketchup that does not contain high-fructose corn syrup, as it has the same addictive properties as nicotine. But, I digress. Give this recipe a try, and please share your feedback.